Footage: Wayanad

Kerala · Forests · Waterfalls

Wayanad

Wayanad is a hilly district of northern Kerala with forests, spice and coffee plantations, caves and waterfalls. It is about 130 km from Mysuru, about 3 to 3.5 hours by road. Most visitors plan 2–3 days. October to May is the drier part of the year in Wayanad, and the cool months from about October to February are the most popular.

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Why travellers go

It combines easy nature trips, wildlife country and cool weather, and is a short drive from Mysuru.

Suggested time: 2–3 days
State: Kerala
Good for: Forests, Waterfalls

Best-known sights in Wayanad

Edakkal Caves: Rock shelters on Ambukuthi Hills, about 10 km from Sulthan Bathery, with Stone Age engravings of human figures and animals. Open 8.30 am to 4 pm with a daily visitor limit; closed on Mondays.
Banasura Sagar Dam: A large earth dam at the foot of the Banasura Hills, about 21 km from Kalpetta, with boating on the reservoir. Open 9 am to 5.30 pm.
Pookode Lake: A freshwater lake about 770 m above sea level, about 12 km from Kalpetta, with boating and a walk around the shore. Open 9 am to 6 pm; boating until 5 pm.
Chembra Peak: The highest peak in Wayanad, near Meppadi, where a forest department trek leads to a heart-shaped lake. The upper part of the trek is restricted; confirm with the forest office before you go.
Soochipara Falls: A three-tier waterfall in forest about 23 km from Kalpetta. Open 8 am to 5 pm with a cap of 500 visitors; tickets are sold only at the site.
Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary: Part of the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, about 14 km from Sulthan Bathery, known for elephants; the forest department runs jeep safaris. Safaris run about 6 to 10 am and 3 to 6 pm; tickets stop once the vehicles are full.
Kuruva Island: A group of forested river islands on the Kabini, about 18 km from Mananthavady, reached by raft or boat. Entry 9 am to 3.30 pm with a daily cap; tickets only at the site.
Thirunelli Temple: An old Vishnu temple beside the Brahmagiri Hills, about 30 km from Mananthavady. Open 5.30 am to 12 noon and 5.30 to 8 pm.
Sulthan Bathery Jain Temple: A 13th-century Jain temple, protected by the Archaeological Survey of India, which Tipu Sultan's forces are said to have used to store ammunition.

How many days do you need in Wayanad?

Plans for one, two or three days. A starting point only, not a Travel Trendzz package.

One day

Leave Mysuru after 6 am and drive through Bandipur and Muthanga in daylight
Edakkal Caves near Sulthan Bathery (not on a Monday)
Lunch in Kalpetta
Pookode Lake
Start back early so you clear Bandipur before the night closure

Two days

Day 1: Drive from Mysuru via Bandipur and Muthanga, Sulthan Bathery Jain Temple, Edakkal Caves, Evening in Kalpetta
Day 2: Banasura Sagar Dam, Pookode Lake, Return to Mysuru before the Bandipur night closure

Three days

Day 1: Drive from Mysuru via Bandipur, Morning or afternoon jeep safari at Muthanga, Sulthan Bathery Jain Temple
Day 2: Edakkal Caves, Soochipara Falls, Chembra trek to the heart-shaped lake (reach the forest office before 2 pm)
Day 3: Banasura Sagar Dam, Pookode Lake, Return to Mysuru, or take the Mananthavady–Kutta–Hunsur road if you are late

How to reach Wayanad from Mysuru and Bengaluru

Travelling by car with a driver? See the Mysore to Wayanad taxi route, night closure and stops.

From Mysuru

By road: About 130 km and 3 to 3.5 hours to Kalpetta on NH 766 via Nanjangud, Gundlupet, Bandipur, Muthanga and Sulthan Bathery. Night traffic is banned on the stretch through Bandipur Tiger Reserve, about 9 pm to 6 am (6 pm to 6 am for two-wheelers). A shorter road via HD Kote and Bavali is about 115 km, but The road via Hunsur, Kutta and Mananthavady stays open at night.
By train: No direct train. Wayanad has no railway line. Mysuru Junction itself is the nearest railhead on the Karnataka side; on the Kerala side the nearest is Kozhikode, about 80 to 100 km from the main towns.
By bus: Buses run from Mysuru to Wayanad. A limited, equal number of state transport buses from Karnataka and Kerala (reported as four each in 2025) are allowed through Bandipur during the night ban hours.
By air: Mysuru airport has few flights.

From Bengaluru

By road: About 256 km to Sulthan Bathery via Mysuru and Muthanga on NH 766. The same Bandipur night closure (about 9 pm to 6 am) applies.
By train: No direct train to Wayanad. Take a train from Bengaluru to Mysuru and continue by road.
By bus: Overnight buses run from Bengaluru to Wayanad; state transport buses are among the few vehicles allowed through Bandipur during the night ban.
By air: Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, then by road via Mysuru. Kozhikode airport is about 100 km from Kalpetta.

Road times are approximate; check current timings for trains and buses before you travel.

Best time to visit Wayanad

October to May is the drier part of the year in Wayanad, and the cool months from about October to February are the most popular. June to September is the main monsoon, and July is the wettest month.

Month	Weather and what to know
Jan	Dry and pleasant, about 17–27 °C
Feb	Dry, about 18–29 °C
Mar	Warm and mostly dry, about 20–30 °C
Apr	Warm, first pre-monsoon showers, about 21–30 °C
May	Warm with more showers, about 21–29 °C
Jun	Monsoon, heavy rain, about 20–26 °C Trekking may be restricted in heavy rain.
Jul	Wettest month, very heavy rain, about 19–24 °C
Aug	Heavy rain, about 19–25 °C
Sep	Rain easing, about 19–26 °C
Oct	Green, with regular showers, about 19–27 °C
Nov	Lighter showers, about 19–27 °C
Dec	Dry and cool, about 17–27 °C

Tips for visiting Wayanad

Edakkal Caves are closed on Mondays, so plan them for another day.
The Chembra trek is run by the forest department; trekkers must reach before 2 pm, and access can change with the weather.
Through Bandipur, private vehicles cannot pass at night (about 9 pm to 6 am, two-wheelers from 6 pm), so time your drive.
Monkeys are common at the Lakkidi viewpoint; keep car windows closed and food out of sight.
Leeches are common on forest trails in the wet months; carry salt to remove them.
In heavy monsoon rain, follow district weather alerts; landslides in 2024 caused heavy loss of life in Wayanad.

Photos

Waterfall in a misty forest — Photo: Wayanad

Travel Trendzz packages that include Wayanad

Prices are given on request; the team sends a quote for your dates and group.

Wayanad, Ooty & Coimbatore Trail5 Nights / 6 Days · pickup from Mysore or BangalorePrice on request

Choosing between Wayanad and Munnar? See Munnar vs Wayanad.

Questions about Wayanad

How far is Wayanad from Mysuru?

Kalpetta, the main town in Wayanad, is about 130 km from Mysuru by road on NH 766, through Nanjangud, Gundlupet, Bandipur, Muthanga and Sulthan Bathery. The drive usually takes 3 to 3.5 hours. The forest stretch through Bandipur is closed to private vehicles at night, from about 9 pm to 6 am.

What is the best time to visit Wayanad?

October to May is the drier part of the year, and the cool months from about October to February are the most popular. June to September is the main monsoon, with very heavy rain in July. Waterfalls are full after the rains, but treks can be restricted in wet weather.

Is there a train to Wayanad?

No. Wayanad has no railway line. From Mysuru, the usual way is by road, which takes about 3 to 3.5 hours to Kalpetta. On the Kerala side, the nearest railway station is Kozhikode, about 80 to 100 km from the main towns. Buses also run from Mysuru to Wayanad.

How many days are enough for Wayanad?

Two to three days covers the main places. In two days you can see Edakkal Caves, Banasura Sagar Dam and Pookode Lake. A third day adds a Muthanga safari, Soochipara Falls or the Chembra trek. A single day trip from Mysuru is possible if you return before the Bandipur night closure.

Does Travel Trendzz have a package for Wayanad?

Yes. Wayanad, Ooty & Coimbatore Trail (5 Nights / 6 Days) are published Travel Trendzz packages.

Places near Wayanad

Published package

Coorg

Coffee hills · 2–3 days

Published package

Mysuru

Palaces · 2–3 days

Kabini

Wildlife · 1–2 days

All Kerala destinations · All South India destinations · See all tour packages

Sources

Facts on this page were checked against these sources in November 2026. Rules such as entry passes, timings and road closures change, so check before you travel.

Plan your Wayanad trip

Tell the trip planner your dates, group and budget. Nothing is booked until you confirm with the team.

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Last updated 12 November 2026